Postdoctoral researcher

Job ID:  28073

 
→  Apply before 28/11/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→  Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
→  Department: EA06 - Elektronica en Informatiesystemen
→  Occupancy rate:100%
→  Number of positions: 1
→  Type of employment: Contract of limited duration
→  Term of assignment: 1 year
→  Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
→  Required diploma:PhD
 

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

 

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

 

YOUR TASKS

 

  • Be responsible for the execution of a research and innovation project, in which you will solve problems independently but also collaborate with colleagues and work in a team.

  • The project aims to create a chip sized light source enabling narrow linewidth light emission in the visible (primarily in the blue). The focus of the work is to make such a laser stable, efficient and durable. To make this work we need to integrate a number of sub-components including blue gain blocks, narrow line-width filters, photodetectors, phase shifters etc. on a common silicon nitride integrated photonics platform.

  • Technical content:

    • You will be responsible for the integration of the blue gain block on the photonic integrated circuit. To allow for this, you will closely collaborate with the industrial partner providing the gain block, and with other UGent researchers responsible for the PIC development.

    • To allow for efficient optical coupling between the III-V gain block and the silicon nitride waveguide circuit, you will perform optical simulations. Two different coupling solutions will be studied, the first one based on butt-coupling, the second one based on the use of micro-optics.

    • Your work will not focus on the SiN photonic chip, but might include the fabrication of SiN waveguide test structures in the UGent cleanroom, to explore different coupling methods experimentally.

    • In addition, more complex PICs will be fabricated in an external foundry. Once the PICs are available, you will develop the processes to integrate the gain blocks and micro-optic elements on the PIC.

    • Following a successful assembly, you will characterize the chip sized light source. There will be a number of light source generations within the project, allowing to build up complexity.

    • The end-user is willing to publish the results, so writing publications and presenting the results at scientific conferences is part of the job. 

 

 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

 

  • You hold a thesis-based doctorate in Engineering Technology, Photonics Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.

  • You are interested in practical work, especially linked with cleanroom fabrication technologies and characterization set-ups.

  • You have excellent communication skills in English, both orally and written.

  • You have an excellent knowledge of optics and photonics.

  • You have extensive experience with optical characterization set-ups.

  • You like to work in (interdisciplinary) research projects and you have the ability to discuss and communicate your work with people of different backgrounds.

  • You are a motivated person, with a strong curiosity and a genuine wish to learn more and develop your skills and knowledge further.

  • You take responsibility for the managing and execution of your project in a well-structured, thorough way, both by solving problems independently and by instructing and collaborating with others.

  • You are able to work in a team.

 

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

 

  • We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period of 1 year. Following a positive evaluation, the contract can be extended up to 4 years in total.

  • Your contract will start on 1/01/2025 at the earliest.

  • Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1 to PD4. Click here for more information about our salary scales.

  • All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits 

 

 

INTERESTED?

 

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

 

Your application must include the following documents:

 

  • In the field ‘CV’: your CV and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)

  • In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format

  • In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree. If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.

 

 

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

 

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

 


MORE INFORMATION

 

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Geert Van Steenberge (geert.vansteenberge@ugent.be, +32(0)9/2645560). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

 

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via selecties@ugent.be or +32 9 264 34 36